All Good Things...

All good things must come to an end. Isn’t that how the expression goes? For the past two weeks I have been gone on vacation trying my absolute hardest not even to think about Wonder City or ministry. But here it is my first day back at work in two weeks. In some ways I am sad about that. I was enjoying my vacation and sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. On the other hand, I am glad to be back at work. Back doing what God has called me to do. Back to having purpose and direction for my days.

Someone asked me today if I have ever taken two weeks like that before. I never had. Almost ten years in ministry and over six years at Wonder City and I have never taken two straight weeks. That points to one of my issues—I am a workaholic. Not that I work 80 hours a week. But I will work multiple days and not take my days off. I will go and go and look back and realize that I have worked 28 out of 31 days in a month. That simply is not healthy. My workaholism comes out of a need for people’s approval. (“Look how hard Mack is working. He is doing such a good job.”) I am learning balance in my life and that I don’t have to be a workaholic to have people like me.

God created that balance. He gave Adam and Eve work (before the fall). Their job was to tend to the garden. But God also gave rest—he called it Sabbath. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God knows we need rest. God knows that many of us will not rest unless we are made too. God had brought me to a place where I had to rest. I am thankful for that rest. I am also thankful for what I am learning about balance.

Paying Attention

This week I have had several people asking me what happened to my head (I have sore right in the middle of my forehead). Sunday afternoon I was in Kroger picking up a few grocery items. I had just come from playing basketball with a group of friends from church. I was hot, sweaty, and very tired. One of the items that I needed was on the next to bottom shelf and on the back of the shelf. When I bent over to pick one up I banged my head on an impulse buy rack attached to the edge of the shelf a couple shelves up. It was clear hard plastic and I didn’t even see it until after it was too late. My head started bleeding and I quickly got what I needed and checked out. I was very thankful no employee asked me if I was ok, asked to fill out an incident report, or sign something stating I would not sue.

However, this got me thinking about how often I (and others) don’t pay attention. I can’t tell you how many times in a week I say the expression “if it was a snake it would have bit me/you” about an object right under my or someone else’s nose.

What I wonder most about is the number of things that God puts right under our nose that we miss. How many opportunities to practice some form of Christian service because we are only focused on ourselves, where we are going, and we have to get done? How many opportunities to share an encouraging word with a brother or sister who is down? How many opportunities to serve someone in need? How many opportunities to share Jesus with a non-believer? I truly hope that we are not so focused on ourselves that these missed opportunities come back to bite us (Matthew 25:31-46).

School Store & Denpendency

This week we held our annual back to school supply giveaway. We had 125 parents come through and pick up supplies for over 350 students. The few leftover supplies were donated to Maddox Elementary School.

This week’s school supply giveaway—while a great service to our community—has allowed me some time to reflect on the subject of dependency. One reason is that I knew there would be people whom I never see except for at our giveaways who would walk through our doors yesterday. Additionally, we have had one of our founding families recently walk away due to the churches’ unwillingness to continue to support their dependency issues. It breaks my heart when I see people who are so dependent on others they will do nothing for themselves. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time to break the cycles of poverty and dependency. However, it is possible. While at the School Store on Thursday I heard a success story. A young lady who attended WC as a teenager (but hasn’t been around for about 4 years) will be entering her senior year at University of Central Arkansas (Conway) next week. She will graduate next spring with a teacher’s degree. She has also made it this far without having a baby. In fact her family member who was giving me this information told me that she said, “I don’t have time for a baby.” I don’t know to what extent the time she was at Wonder City has helped her achieve her life goals and break some of those cycles of dependency for herself (and hopefully her children). However, what I do know is that it is possible.

Young Men Stepping Up

For the past couple of months a couple of guys have been coming on Wednesday nights and teaching our teen boys. This past week one of them informed me that they have been talking about leadership, specifically as it relates to leading in the worship services. This past Wednesday he went through each part of the worship service and asked which of our young men could lead in that area of worship. Most have already been doing things like prayer, scripture reading, and passing Lord’s Supper. So they had no problem saying they could do those things. However, when it came to the areas of preaching and leading worship our young men were slower to respond. However, eventually someone did step up and say that was an area they could lead in. As a result, we are now planning on our young men completely leading our worship service on Sunday, August 5th. We are also looking into them going to Earle, AR (about 15 minutes from West Memphis) and leading their evening worship service on a Sunday evening. Please be praying for our young men as they prepare and lead services, August 5th. I will let you know how it goes.

NACC, Live from KC

Last week I attended the North American Christian Church Convention in Kansas City. This was probably been the best convention that I have ever attended. The Independent Christian Churches know how to do a convention. I learned so much from the classes. Even the exhibitors were great. I gained so much from them, including some new ideas to try in urban ministry.

However, the largest benefit from being there last week was the personal renewal. It was good just to be away from the daily routine of ministry, the pressures, the tasks, the crisis, and spend some time being fed. I came to the conference ready to leave full-time paid ministry. I was ready to transition to another career (I have been thinking education). However, even after the opening session on Tuesday evening I was hearing God’s call on my life to stay in ministry.

The amazing thing behind all of this is, that a few weeks ago, I started sharing with Amy about changing careers and investigating what it would take to get a non-traditional certification to teach Jr. and Sr. High Social Studies and History. She responded by saying something about my stress level and even burnout, having carried the load at Wonder City alone for the past 11 months. I don’t remember her exact words, but whatever they were it was not what I wanted to hear. I did not get the supportive wife that I was looking for. I wanted her to say, “Honey, if that is what you believe God is calling you to, then I will support you one-hundred percent. How can I help you?” Now I believe she was probably right (as much as I hate to admit that). In fact, there have been several times throughout our marriage that I believe she has been closer to the heart of God and in tune with what God wanted for us than I was. (For those of you who don’t know that is a hard fact for a pastor to accept).

I know that I will be right back where I was at in a very short time if two things don’t change. First, and most importantly, I have to change. I have to return home and do some things differently. There are many things that I have the ability to change, which have the potential to affect my sanity and stability in ministry. If I return to West Memphis and don’t do things differently then how can expect a different result. I have heard the definition of insanity as doing the same things over and over again expecting a different result. If I want something different, then I must do something different. And I want something different.

Second, I do need ministry help at Wonder City (and soon)! No matter how many things I change, ministry (and especially urban ministry) is not meant to be done alone. Jesus surrounded himself with twelve disciples. When he sent them out he didn’t send them out alone. He sent them two by two (Mark 6:7). I need my ministry partner. Thankfully, God has recently sent a couple of prospects my (our) way that I have engaged at various levels, for different roles at Wonder City. It is my hope that God will actually provide one of these individuals (if not two or more).

Thank you, Father, for this time of renewal and reflection. May you continue to bless me and Wonder City.

Uplift

This week I am at Uplift (a Christian camp at Harding University; ) with teens from Wonder City and Missouri Street. It has been 11 years since I was last at Uplift. I came last (and for the first time) back in 1996 when I was a summer intern in south Arkansas. It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I only brought 3 kids with me. This time it is a little different. Wonder City has 17 youth here this week. Combined with the MOST group there are over 70 teens and sponsors here. Needless to say, things are a little different.

However, our teens are having a blast. They are loving the free time and learning a lot. Like other youth groups we have had our nuckelhead moments. But it has been stuff that has been realatively minor.

However, the best part about Uplift so far has been the connection to the teens. Kyle (Missouri Street youth minister) told me several times about how it is the best thing he does all summer because of the way kids open up and talk about the junk in their lives and the sins they are struggling with during this week. I have been amazed at how true that has been with the Wonder City kids as well. This week (so far) at least three students have shared deeply with me from their hearts about stuff going on. This is stuff that they have NEVER shared with anyone else. Additionally, the kids have been sharing their angers and other emotions they don't get to share back at home. It has truly been a blessed week.

I have lots of pictures to upload when I get home and will share some of those and further reflections later this week.

Memphis Workcamp 2007

I am continually amazed at our young people’s willingness to serve. This week Wonder City had 10 teens (plus my sister) who joined the 17 from Missouri Street by working in the hot muggy weather at Memphis Workcamp painting houses. Here are some pictures from the week.

Addicted

Addicted is a word that is typically not associated with positive attributes. We typically associate addictions as harmful, negative, and devastating aspects of a habit that can not easily be reversed. Recently, I have been a witness to the positive side of being addicted. For a couple of weeks now there has been a ladies class on Monday night called “More than Sisters” at Missouri Street Church. Several Wonder City Members have become part of this class. While I have planned to attend, I have yet to have the opportunity. However, I have received phone calls about the “addictiveness” of this class. Phrases like “Oooh, you need to come to this class,” and “I can’t believe how I love going to this class,” are spoken as encouragement for others at Wonder City to attend. Last Wednesday night, the ladies that are attending were so pumped up, they were excited about being able to share, laugh, and learn about God in a way that is truly focused on Women in Christ, who struggle in today’s world. Linda even stated that she was going to hate missing a class, but in the event that she missed, she would get the materials from anyone who is willing to share. She even stated that she herself is “addicted” to this class. Being able to bring ladies, of all ages and backgrounds, together is an awesome thing. I know that every Monday night, God looks down and smiles because his power is creating an addiction that is positive and it is consuming the ladies at Wonder City who have made the decision to be “More than Sisters.”

Written by: Amy McFarland

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One of the amazing aspects of this ladies class on Monday nights has been the Acts 2:42-47 nature of the class. It has been reported to me that one of the things the class hopes to do is take care of the needs within the class. Participants have the opportunity to write prayer requests and needs on a card. Then as the class has the means and ability to address the needs, they are taken care of. Last week—right as Amy and I were preparing to leave for vacation—the class facilitator called me and told me they were going to take care of a need that a Wonder City participant had. This is an older lady who lives in an old apartment that does not have central heat and air. Her window AC unit had gone out. She put on her prayer card that God would provide an AC. The group from the class found not one, but two units for her. When they called to set up delivery, they discovered they were too late. God had already provided two units through a family member. God showed up and he showed out! This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have been hearing that God is doing through this group of ladies. True Christian community is being formed and is having an impact.

A Success Story?

It is too early to know just how much of an impact has been made this past school year. Through the quiet generosity of several individuals a 2nd grader from Wonder City was able to attend West Memphis Christian this school year. Earlier this week we received a note from her teacher, telling us the great progress this student made academically. Her reading level has gone from 1.3 to 2.3! While she is still slightly behind where she needs to be—she has progressed a whole reading level during the course of a school year. She has also completed 13 levels on Math Facts in a Flash. However, I believe that her accomplishments academically pale in comparison to what has been accomplished spiritually. After school every day she has been coming to the church office to wait on her day care van to pick her up. For the past couple of weeks (at least that is how long I have heard her) she has been signing Christian songs like Sanctuary and Someday. Here is a young girl, singing “Oh Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary…” all on her own. She doesn’t care who is around or who hears her! This combination of education and love of Jesus is exactly what it will take to break the cycles of poverty in the lives of many served by Wonder City. Sadly, at this point this child’s mother has decided to return her to public school next year. It is my hope and prayer that God will take this one year and use it as a base that will propel her throughout the rest of her life. But, I am also praying that her mother changes her mind!

"New" Worship Space

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, some men from Missouri Street's Just Brother's Monday night men's Bible study group came to Wonder City April 21, for a service project to improve our worship facility. I finally have the pictures together to share. Here are the before pictures of what the building used to look like.

These are the pictures from the men working at the building. (some pictures were taken with a disposable camera and are not the best quality)

Finally, the "finished" project (some things still need finished--however, it is much better than what is was before). A special thanks to Lyndal Dale, Don Hilburn, and David Arnold for coming down everyday the following week to finish up. Also a special thanks to the C.I.A. (Christianity In Action) group who came this past Sunday and did even more work.

Combined Worship

Sunday, April 22, was a great day for Wonder City and Missouri Street—we held our first ever combined worship service. The worship service itself I can’t describe. This was not the first time I have been in a Church of Christ that has intentionally held services with a congregation of a different predominate race that sought to appeal to both cultures. The worship in that setting is something that simply has to be experienced. God was in the house that morning! I know that God is always in the worship of his people—but there are those days and times where you know it more than because that is simply what you believe, you know it because you experienced it. That is exactly what happened almost two weeks ago. We worshiped and enjoyed a fellowship meal together. Christians who normally don’t associate with each other from different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds were together worshipping their Lord and sharing life together. I still have not stopped hearing positive things about worship that Sunday morning from both Missouri Street members and Wonder City members. Praise God for tearing barriers down.

Web Page

Take a minute and check out Wonder City's page on the Memphis Urban Mininstry website.

http://www.memphisurbanministry.com/WCCpage.html

Our website has been delayed due to the inability to find a volunteer who knows enough to put together and maintain a good website for Wonder City. In the meantime though, this website along with my blog here will serve as our source for web information about Wonder City.

Currently on this webpage is a short video I did for a church in Memphis about our need for a new facility to call home. (Actually, I didn't do any part of it. Someone came and taped me speaking and then went and put it together.) Check it out anyway!

Community

This weekend is all about community. Specifically, it is about building community between Missouri Street Church of Christ and Wonder City Church. Reflecting on the shooting that took place this past Monday at Virginia Tech Larry James wrote about the need for community on his blog.

The purpose of community building and community development is to see that everyone has a chance to be connected in a meaningful, enduring manner to at least a few other people...Building community must remain our clear mission, informing everything we do in the city. Our work cannot be just about charity or compassion or "helping" people. It cannot be fundamentally about providing people volunteer opportunities. The basis of what we seek to accomplish is fundamentally not about feeding people, housing people, healing people or educating people. We must go further. While we may decide to use activities like these to do part of our work, and while such actions often will prove necessary, our goal must always be to connect people to one another for improved well being and for the experience of authentic, human community.

This weekend there are several activities that will be used to build community between parent and daughter church. First, a group of men from the Just Brothers men's Bible study is going to come on Saturday and work on our building to make it more of a place to worship and learn about God. Secondly, Missouri Street and Wonder City will have a combined worship service on Sunday-the first in the 7 1/2 years of Wonder City. It is our goal and hope that these activities will serve as a catalyst for community development and growth between these two communities. I will write more next week and let you know my impressions of the weekend.

Spring & Summer Clothing Giveaway Report

On March 22, Wonder City served the community by giving away the clothes that were donated for our Spring and Summer Clothing Giveaway. 39 individuals came through and received clothes for 117 people. Part of what we do at any of our outreach service events is ask the community what they need spiritually from Wonder City. Options include prayer, to be picked up for services on Sunday and/or Wednesday, and an in-home Bible study. 35 of those who came through requested that Wonder City simply pray for them. One (other than current church members) also requested to have an in-home Bible study. Please take time this week and lift these people up to the Father in prayer. Their names are

Ellen Jones
Tammy White
Ovella Wilson
Domique Davis
Anna Duniquian
Torchee
Erinstin Tucker
Tomeka Duniqian
Francis Cheers
Mattie Miller
Delores Foy
Kawanna Sims
Estella Bennett
Annie Simes
Kiria Moore
Antony
Sharon Hall
Dela Tucker
Lattie
Beaty Bradly
Trisha Davis
Joyce Miller
Monica Watson
Veler Smith
Vella Smith
Ann Rodgers
Mary Ann Rozie
Jerrod McClure
LaShunda Foster
Jorcia
Lievia Ceaston
Johnny Davis
Barbara Andrews
Linda Long
LaShawn Williams

The one who also requested an in-home Bible study is LaShawn Williams.

Way Too Busy

Life has been way too busy recently (part of the reason I haven't posted in so long). I sat down yesterday and was thinking about everything that I had to get done. Here is what I wrote.

Thursday morning (3/29)-It is Thursday and I haven't started my sermon for Sunday yet. I have several meetings today which will limit my time to work on it today. Tomorrow we are having internet installed at the house and our new bedroom furniture is being delivered. Amy will be gone on Saturday visiting her mother and attending a lady's day. However, there is a gathering of my friends on Saturday from 9 to 4 I want to attend. Saturday evening at 5pm I have a Just Brothers fish fry. When/How will it all get done?

Here it is Friday night and I think that I am not going to make my gathering of friends. I need to stay home and take the time while Amy is gone to work on my sermon. The problem is that this is how life has been for me recently. I am need to slow down. I need to learn to say "no."

Building Update

Back in early December I posted about a couple of things that Wonder City needs to be able to grow. (Go to http://urbanminista.blogspot.com/2006/12/needed-for-growth.html to read the post). One of those was a larger facility. I mentioned that there was a proposal before the Missouri Street elders to purchase the First Church of the Nazarene as a new home for Wonder City.

At that time the elders were in the process of adding new elders and decided to wait until they were on board to make a decision. Two new elders have now been added and they are ready to move forward with making a decision. Although nothing is official at this point, everything looks positive. I have met with them several times to discuss the building and answer questions. I have also met with several of them individually over the past couple of months.

Please continue to pray that God’s will will be done. I am hopeful that we will be in our “new” building no later than middle July.

Depending On God

This week I was speaking with a Missouri Street church member who was asked by another church member, “Do you depend on God in all areas of your life?” At first he answered, “Yes.” When pressed on the issue he had to admit that he didn’t. His wife had cooked his breakfast that morning and he hadn’t depended on God to provide for his physical needs. He had to admit that he only depended on God for the spiritual areas of his life. My guess is that is true for most middle-class Americans. Even if we live paycheck to paycheck we still don’t have to rely on God for our physical needs. We have our jobs and we know that we will have food on the table every meal. It may not be a fancy meal, but there will be food on the table, clothes on our backs, and roofs over our heads.

However, it is the opposite for those ministered to by Wonder City. They depend on God to meet their every physical need. The challenge for them is to depend on him for their spiritual needs as well. Many we minister to don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Many don’t know where they will sleep that night. I have even noticed this year how many people are wearing lightweight, early fall or late spring, jackets during these extremely cold winter days—because that is all they have. They depend on God for everything they have—from the shoes on their feet, food on their tables, and clothes on their backs (as one song we sing says).

However, for the poor to depend on God spiritually is another story. Addictions run rampant in our neighborhood. Addictions to drugs and alcohol are the most evident. But, there is also gambling and sex addictions as well. These are used as coping mechanisms for the daily struggles of life. When life gets to be too much to handle, many in our neighborhood turn to these vices to escape reality. The bottle or the joint becomes the spiritual answer to life’s problems—not God. Every Sunday we have a time for church members to stand up and say what God has done for them that week. Over and over again we here things like—“healed me, paid this or that bill, etc.” Rarely do we hear—“forgave my sins,” or some other spiritual answer. However, in my experience in more traditional church settings this is exactly the answer that is given, and rarely does someone answer “by putting food on my table this morning.”

As this distinction was brought to the forefront of my mind again, I realized that the struggle for each one of us to is put God first in all areas of our lives. Where we struggle is different for each of us based on where we are in life. Some need to hear the words of Jesus found in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (the physical needs Jesus spoke of in verses 25-32) will be given to you as well.” Others need to hear what Jesus said to the rich ruler, “Sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Lk. 18:22). The rich ruler needed to learn dependence on God for his physical needs and not rely on his wealth.

I would like to challenge your dependence on God, as mine has been challenged by this question. Do you depend on God in all areas of your life? Are there areas where you depend on something or someone, instead of God to fulfill your needs? As you ask yourself these questions, take note of the areas in which dependence on God is lacking, and strive to depend on God in every aspect of your life.

A Commitment Fulfilled

Back in the summer of 2003, Amy and I didn’t know what God had in store for us. We had made the commitment to Wonder City to finish the year. By that time I would have also completed graduate school. But then what? We would be free to go anywhere in the country we felt God leading us. At the same time we weren’t sure God was calling us to leave. And we weren’t sure that he was calling us to stay long-term at Wonder City. So after praying about it and having several conversations, we made the decision to stay and go full-time with Wonder City in January, 2004. We decided that we would make a three-year commitment. We figured that would give us enough time to further seek God’s will, and would allow us to make necessary preparations if he was calling us to plant a church somewhere else .

The lessons that I have learned through this process over the past three years are patience and dependence upon God. There is a saying in the neighborhood, “God may not come when you want him, but he will always be right on time.” The first year-and-a-half was very tough for Amy and me. There was no financial backing to our full-time work from Missouri Street. I had to raise my whole salary. Things for several months didn’t look good. In fact, only a few people know that during the summer of 2004, I sent a resume to a church that was looking to hire an Outreach Minister. I didn’t see how Amy and I could make it the way things were looking. Nothing materialized out of that resume, and Missouri Street also stepped up with some money. We were making it, but barely. The three year commitment still loomed over us. Would we be able to fulfill it? Would we have to go elsewhere? We loved Wonder City, but also had to do what was best for our financial future and stability.

Then the news came in early June, 2005 that the Mauldin’s were leaving. That changed everything for us. The elders at Missouri Street asked me to be the Interim Director for Wonder City. With that came more compensation. Then in November, 2005, they asked me to remove Interim from my job title. Again, financially things looked even better for us. God was making himself known to us and what he wanted for Amy and me. It would have been nice to know what God’s will for us was back in 2003. But without the process, the ride wouldn’t have been as much fun and the lessons that Amy and I have learned would have gone unlearned.

As I was lying in bed Monday night, I realized that commitment we made has now been fulfilled. I haven’t thought about that commitment much since the summer of 2005 when the Mauldin’s told us they were leaving. We now know that God wants us here at Wonder City. How long, only God knows. But we are not looking to leave. We love being in Arkansas. We love being at Missouri Street. We love being at Wonder City.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Amy and I are normally suckers for movies with inspirational messages. We love movies like Remember the Titans; Radio; and Akeelah and the Bee. So when we first saw the previews for the new Will Smith movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, we both immediately wanted to see it. However, after seeing the movie this past Saturday, I wasn’t thrilled with it.

There are very positive messages in the movie. Will Smith’s character (Chris Gardner) talks about not knowing who his dad was until he was 28 years old but that his son would grow up knowing him. Throughout the movie Chris is making sure he maintains his relationship with his son—even when his wife/girlfriend (the movie never really tells) leaves and moves across the country. There is also a scene in the movie where Chris has just told his son, who loves basketball, that he will probably not be any good at it. Chris’ son immediately puts his ball away and is ready to leave the court. He realizes what he has done and then tells his son to never let anyone tell him he can’t do something—even his own dad.

However, the overall message of the movie is what I disagree with. The message of the movie is that money is the key to happiness. Do whatever it takes to be successful—including cheating and lying. The movie teaches that everything is up to you if you are going to be successful and happy.

These messages are all contrary to the gospel message. Christ teaches that because of sin we can’t do it by ourselves. Doing it ourselves and our way and not relying on God has gotten us into the mess we as a human race are in. Christianity is not a “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” religion. We are dependent upon God, the blood of Jesus, and fellowship of fellow Christians to be “successful.”

Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Those who have served money have stated how empty it left them feeling and no mater how much they had they always wanted more.

If the movie makers really wanted an inspirational story about the key to happiness they would have found one with a very Christian theme—forgiveness. According to a December, 2002, USA Today article “‘Materialism is toxic for happiness,’ says University of Illinois psychologist Ed Diener. Even rich materialists aren't as happy as those who care less about getting and spending. The article also quoted University of Michigan psychologist Christopher Peterson, who indicated forgiveness is the trait most strongly linked to happiness. Peterson said, ‘It's the queen of all virtues, and probably the hardest to come by.’ ”

Vacation

Last week I was on a much needed vacation. I did abosulely nothing!!!

Well that's not entirely true. I read a book Amy gave me for Christmas--Clive Cussler's The Treasure of Khan. (Cussler is my favorite author and has written many books with a central character--Dirk Pitt. His Pitt novel Sahara was turned into a major motion picture.) I also watched as much of the 4th day of 24 as I could. I love 24 and Jack Bauer. I was hoping to watch all of season 4 and 5 before this season starts, but I don't think I am going to make it. I still have 2.5 hours of day 4 to finish. And lots of ESPN! But other than that--nothing. Just books and TV. It was great!

Yesterday, it was back to the grind though. Although, I was ready to get back to work. So here I am back at work. This looks like one of the busiest January and Februarys in several years. More on that later.